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Mazda Protege Rust Problems

100 messages,  Last post on Dec 24, 2012 at 12:59 PM

You are in the Mazda Protege Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mazda Protege, Mazda Protege5, Auto Body, Paint, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 4 of 11

#27 of 100 Quixotic Solution to Mazda Protege Rust? by autonomous

Sep 17, 2009 (11:55 am)

Replying to: devilishangel (Sep 17, 2009 11:21 am)
I bought my Mazda Protege5 in July 2003 ... 2 local car repairs ... said it was damaged sometime before ... the panel inside the door wasn't affixed properly and the leaking caused the rusting. (the strip alongside the length of the car is also falling off at the rear) The damage, they said, was most likely caused at the dealer ...
 
Hmm, although this may be true, it would be difficult to prove six years after the fact. You may want to consider other options rather than taking on MazdaUSA as the rust will not stop in the meantime. For example, you may want to negotiate with the dealer a reduction in the cost of the repair. In my case, I had the rust on my 2002 P5 removed two years ago; the rear wheelwells and panels were repainted for about C$250 as part of a goodwill agreement with my dealership. Prior to this, I had received independent evaluations of the work required and therefore knew the costs would easily be twice those proposed by the dealership, so I went along with the agreement. Not ideal but this may be better than fighting windmills (with apologies to Cervantes).
 
p.s. my repairs have held back the rust for the most part, but it's just a matter of time before it re-emerges; I am counting on another 2 to 3 years before moving onto my next vehicle.

#28 of 100 Perforation by moparbad

Sep 18, 2009 (11:24 am)

Unless you have perforation of the panel, it is not covered under Mazda warranty. This is the norm, not the exception for rust warranty for majority of auto manufacturers.
 
So, anyone have an actual hole thru a panel?

#29 of 100 Re: Perforation [moparbad] by zoom_oh_2002p5

Sep 18, 2009 (11:37 am)

Replying to: moparbad (Sep 18, 2009 11:24 am)
Thank you moparbad, very valuable comment for this discussion.
The dealers should be more articulate at presenting this case.
Perferation and industry norm was not mentioned in three meetings with the dealer and/or factory rep.

#30 of 100 Time to get a quote by moparbad

Sep 20, 2009 (6:49 pm)

Have surface rust on lower rocker at seam on both sides of car and also in the rear wheel wells on inner surface. Will find out this week the cost to repair the problem areas.
Only 62K on my 03 and the finish is in great condition except for the areas mentioned above. Car has been garaged since new.
Well, not much I can do living in the "rust belt" with so much salt used in the winter.

#31 of 100 Re: Time to get a quote [moparbad] by 02mazda

Nov 15, 2009 (7:57 pm)

Replying to: moparbad (Sep 20, 2009 6:49 pm)
I saw an 03 this weekend local superstore. Had the same kind of rust you describe. Good luck. It was silver. I also saw a newer 626 w rust on the passenger side rear wheel well. I had not noticed this problem on the 626. The car, however, did not look as if it had been well maintained. Dents, dirty glass, very dirty & the driver, w/o resorting to any type of stereotypes, did not look as if he/she was really into maintaining cars. Sorry, I hate stereotypes, too, but Click & Clack would have called her "Dawna". Still love my Protege 5, just put new Generals on all 4(s), but wish they would/could do something about the rust issue. Balance of car is great. I would settle for a 50/50 or even 60/40 repair compromise.

#32 of 100 when did Mazda address this rust issue? by gimmestdtranny

Aug 05, 2010 (6:52 am)

I simply can't believe the number of severely rusted Mazdas I have seen in the last 3 years. A friend's cancer broke out only after 4 years of ownership of her 02 or 03 Protege 5, but I see it on all Proteges.
 
So my question is: (assuming Mazda has surely addressed this issue by now??)
 
What year was this finally addressed? Did they do it with a thicker coat of hot galvanizing? Or maybe they foolishly weren't using hot galvanizing?

#33 of 100 Re: when did Mazda address this rust issue? [gimmestdtranny] by autonomous

Aug 05, 2010 (10:14 am)

Replying to: gimmestdtranny (Aug 05, 2010 6:52 am)
You are right rust is an issue for the 2002 and 2003 Proteges. Mine started appearing after the third year. I took some preventative maintenance (annual rust proofing) and repair (had rust removed from wheelwells in 2005). Now, over eight years old, my P5 looks very good and should last another couple of years (fingers crossed).
 
Since the Mazda3 replaced the Proteges starting in 2004 the problem may be occurring there. I see you posted the question on the Mazda3 forum which is a good idea.
 
By "hot galvanizing" I suppose you are referring to hot-dip galvanizing. I would imagine they do use the process but frankly, I've never found a reference to it in the Mazda manual or brochures, so it would be interesting to hear one way or the other.

#34 of 100 Re: when did Mazda address this rust issue? [autonomous] by gimmestdtranny

Aug 07, 2010 (8:41 am)

Replying to: autonomous (Aug 05, 2010 10:14 am)
I think I have seen a newer than 04 rusted P3. Trying to figure out the year they got on top of this.
Looks like this thread is not too active though it seems, so I guess Mazda owners are a complacent bunch? lol
 
Thanks for your reply.

#35 of 100 Re: when did Mazda address this rust issue? [gimmestdtranny] by kschleic

Aug 07, 2010 (9:42 am)

Replying to: gimmestdtranny (Aug 07, 2010 8:41 am)
It is not that we are not active, it is Mazda will not do anything to relieve our loss. I will not buy another Mazda and I will keep driving the one I have, so people can see the rust on the car. Also, if they ever ask me, I will do my best to let them know that Mazda does not back up their cars, once they are bought.

#36 of 100 Re: when did Mazda address this rust issue? [kschleic] by gimmestdtranny

Aug 07, 2010 (9:59 am)

Replying to: kschleic (Aug 07, 2010 9:42 am)
I feel badly for you all. But I agree with your strategy. I did the same with Ford many years ago. I am a huge advocate of boycott by the little guy. Enough little guy boycotts with long-lasting conviction, I have to believe forces a mfgr to pay heed and eventually do the right thing.
 
With my situation with Ford it was not complicated. It was a cut and dried scene in which they called my bluff of a lifetime boycott and they were totally out of line. It wasn't even a grey area call, so I lost permanent lifetime respect for them as a brand, a name, and a family. I have been burned by Ford, GM, Honda, and VW. I personally know many who have been burned by Chrysler. I have had Subaru, Toyota and Nissan all do the right thing. I guess they were born with a conscience.
 
I have found in most situations, it is not a grey area. Either the car co does the correct and proper thing or they stonewall and cause you to become so frustrated they hope (and it is their plan all along) that you simply give up.
 
I think it is extremely important that victims write a registered letter to the head of a co and inform them that their stonewalling cost them a customer for LIFE. And don't waiver from that. Furthermore, when you go to buy your next car, confirm who owns who so that you aren't still supporting their thieving butts only under a different nameplate.
 
I absolutely loved that you spread the word of unfair treatment. I do the same if the opportunity presents itself.

Messages Page 4 of 11

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